Specialist Provision

Specialist Provision

In Pembrokeshire, for learners with more complex needs, a specialist placement in either the special school, a learning resource centre or the Pembrokeshire Learning Centre, provides wraparound care and educational support to the ensure the children achieve their full potential.

A Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is a classroom based within a mainstream school providing education for pupils with complex needs.

LRCs have been set up to provide pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum that is highly differentiated in order to support them in achieving their full potential.

LRCs are attached to mainstream schools giving pupils the opportunity to be part of mainstream activities and lessons and to socialise with their peers whilst their individual needs are supported and met.

Where are the Learning Resource Centres?

There are currently 7 Infants, 7 Junior and 3 Secondary LRCs across Pembrokeshire.

Who can access a Learning Resource Centre?

An LRC is suitable for pupils with complex learning needs.

When considering whether a young person is suitable for a placement, professionals will consider a range of criteria. Part of the criteria will be the student’s cognitive ability and their scores on standardised testing, as well as individual pupil profiles of needs.

How can the Service be accessed?

The County Council is the Admissions Authority for all Learning Resource Centres within schools.

Admission criteria for the Learning Resource Centres is set out in the admissions criteria booklet.

A panel of nominated school, Inclusion Service and Educational Psychology Service staff will discuss each pupil being considered for admission (‘the Panel’) and recommend the appropriateness of the placement.

Usually pupils will be admitted at the beginning of an academic year, but in exceptional circumstances, an extraordinary admissions panel will be convened to determine the appropriateness of the provision.

The referrals process starts in the Autumn term for the following September intake and places confirmed in March prior to entry.

If you feel that your child has additional needs and would need an LRC placement, you can discuss this with the Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo) at your child’s school. They will be able to give more information regarding suitability and application.

Pembrokeshire Learning Centre (PLC) is a Pupil Referral Unit and Anxious and Phobic provision run by Pembrokeshire County Council which caters for children and young people with Behavioural, Emotional and Social difficulties.

The provision includes early and short-term intervention for pupils in Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4. Provision for Key Stages 1 and 2 pupils is based at the Penally Centre; Key Stage 3 pupils are based at the Pembrokeshire Learning Centre at Neyland. Pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 with high anxieties are also based in Neyland.

The PLC provides a broad and balanced curriculum which follows the National Curriculum and is appropriately modified and differentiated for the needs of the individual child.

The whole spectrum of children’s needs is supported through the involvement of many professionals. Speech therapists, Child and Adult Mental Health Team and the school nurse make regular visits to the Pembrokeshire Learning Centre. Other specialist consultants, educational psychologists and Social Services are seen as integral and indispensable contributors to the school programme.

Portfield School is a day special school maintained by Pembrokeshire County Council which caters for children and young people with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties in the age range 3 -19 years.

The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum which follows the National Curriculum and is appropriately modified and differentiated for the needs of the individual child.

The whole spectrum of children’s needs is supported through the involvement of many professionals. Speech Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, School Nurse and the School Doctor make regular visits to the school, and other Specialist Consultants, Educational Psychologist and Social Services are seen as integral and indispensable contributors to the school programme.

There is a wide spectrum of individual need, ranging from ‘universal services’ provided by schools to supporting those pupils with severe and complex or acute needs who require an integrated multi-agency response.

This document provides schools with an overview of the expectations for supporting children and young people across the spectrum of needs. It includes the role of the school, Inclusion Service, outside agencies and families at the different tiers of provision.

The criteria which needs to be met in order to access outreach support along with admission to specialist provision is also detailed in the document.